Reviews by Lt. Eric Cone – Articles of the Federation

Nov 3, 2014

A Facebook post by Keith R. A. DeCandido, about a book review someone had written on A Time for War, A Time for Peace, got me thinking about the next book in that series’ line: Articles of the Federation; (which, basically, is about Nanietta Bacco’s first 100 days [and, more], as the United Federation of Planets lawfully-elected new president). Coming to the halls of power fresh off the trail from a hotly-contested election, and the scandal-ripe resignation of Min Zife, this Cestus III powerhouse must try to unite her government, deal with the collapsing Romulan Empire and keep the Klingons from mounting a full-scale war over the conspiracy that was Tezwa; all while bringing a quadrant rife with confusion and mistrust to some semblance of peace, to implement order and control over a powder-keg that could blow at any second.

First, I must confess this, right-off-the-bat: it took 8 1/2 years for me to read this phenomenal book. (I have, since – apologized to Keith, and – have sung his praises over its brilliance, as-often as I can.) When I began reading it in June 2005, I found it boring, I couldn’t finish it; and-so, it went onto the shelf. But, Nan Bacco remained a constant, if-not memorable and commanding presence, in the novels that kept us going for the next nine years. It was her assassination, at the commencement ceremonies aboard the recently-rebuilt Deep Space Nine II, in David R. George III’s Star Trek The Fall: Revelation and Dust, that compelled me to revisit Articles of the Federation. See, President Bacco’s death came on the cusp of President John F. Kennedy’s somber 50th anniversary, as well; for me, Bacco’s death was, almost – as real, as JFK’s was, half a century ago. I remember reading those unbelievable passages over and over, mentally willing them not to be true… She couldn’t be gone!

Well, I guess it was fate, then, that I remembered Articles; as I was thirsty for anything, that might help me grieve! I needed to ‘hear’ her voice, to ‘see’ her, hale-and-hearty, in command, and – full of the fire that made her such a favorite amongst us readers. Keith was able to bring her to life so-vividly, too. I, now – couldn’t put Articles of the Federation down! It was brilliant! I’m not ashamed to say this, Articles is in my ‘Top Five List’ of the bestStar Trek novels, ever-written.

Of course, with Articles of the Federation, Keith sprinkles-in the revered [then] 219 year history of the UFP, beginning in 2161. Keith manages to take us on a tour of, not-only the Palais de la Concorde, but he gives us the behind-the-scenes beaurocracy of the Federation Council and the wrangling inside the halls of justice, as well; from the nominations of Bacco’s cabinet and the inner-mechanizations of having those nominations passed and realized, to the state funeral of the beloved Jaresh-Inyo, all the way to a political current-events show called Illuminating the City of Light, (which is shown in several diverse locations throughout the book), Keith leaves no stone unturned. Mr. DeCandido breathes-life into a plethora of new characters who walk these hallowed halls, making-up Bacco’s administration, as-well-as the leaders and dignitaries of dozens of worlds, while remembering the storied-histories of the 14 [named] presidents, who’ve come before her.

Is Articles of the Federation canon? Absolutely-not; but it damn-well should be, because it provides the best reference to the rough-and-tumble life of Federation politics, (that reflects our own current-affairs, today), and how one woman rose above the fray to become the quadrant’s best hope for peace and posterity, for the 150-plus worlds that make up the United Federation of Planets. It gives us President Nanietta Bacco, penultimate leader of a free people, and the incomparable, hellfire, ‘don’t tread on me’ Commander-In-Chief of Starfleet.

In my closing, I’m going to mirror Keith DeCandido’s poignant dedication, by paying homage to these fictional leaders, from a future, as-yet, unseen. For Haroun, T’Maran, Avaranthi, Mazda, Kenneth, Lorne, Hiram, Ra-Ghoratreii, Thelianaresth, T’Pragh, Amitra, Jaresh, Min, Nanietta, and, now – Kellissar, for almost two hundred and twenty five years of service; boldly leading us to where no one has gone before…

Thanks, folks! That’s all for me. I highly-recommend Articles of the Federation, by Keith R. A. DeCandido, as a must read, for anyone who loves politics, or – Nan Bacco, for that matter. I’m looking-forward to some great novels over the next few-months, too. I’m reading David Mack’s Section 31: Disavowed, right now; yes… It’s a nail-biter! And, don’t forget to check out the eBooks, that are garnering some great reviews; as they’re fantastic!

Subscribe

Visionary Trek is not affiliated with CBS Studios or Paramount Pictures. Star Trek ®, in all its various forms, is a trademark of CBS Studios and Paramount Pictures. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective holders.